Power storage device and power storage system

ABSTRACT

Provided is a power storage device including: a first chassis member; a second chassis member; a power inlet; one or plural power outlets; a battery module; a power conversion device; a housing; a lower lid; and an upper lid. The battery module is fixed closely to one surface of the first main surface portion. The power conversion device is fixed closely to one surface of the second main surface portion. A gap portion is formed between the first main surface portion and the second main surface portion by disposing the other surface of the first main surface portion and the other surface of the second main surface portion to face each other. The space is used to make air taken through the plural openings of the lower lid flow via the plural openings of the upper lid.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Japanese Priority PatentApplication JP 2011-191054 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Sep. 1,2011, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present application relates to a power storage device which isprovided with a plug outlet for electronic equipment and is capable ofsupplying electric power to the electronic equipment. The presentapplication also relates to a power storage system which uses the powerstorage device.

When a power failure occurs at the time of, for example, disaster, usersare not able to use electricity until power transmission to each home isresumed. During the power failure, dry batteries (i.e., primarybatteries or secondary batteries) are used widely. However, thesebatteries have small capacity and therefore are able to be used only forthe operation and charging of portable electronic devices.

Recently, power generation devices using energy of nature, such asphotovoltaic power generation devices for homes and wind powergeneration devices for homes, are proposed as private electricgenerators. However, these power generation devices are expensive forhome use and therefore are not widely used in ordinary homes. Under suchconditions, a power storage device provided with a battery module havinga combination of plural secondary batteries, or electronic equipmentwith a power storage system having a function to store electricity areproposed.

The power storage device charges the battery module in, for example, thenighttime during which electricity demand is low, or a period when thepower storage device is not used, and supplies power to electronicequipment connected to the power storage device as necessary. Theelectronic equipment with a power storage system charges the batterymodule in, for example, the nighttime during which electricity demand islow, or a period when the electronic equipment with a power storagesystem is not used, and operates without using external supply ofelectricity at the time of the peak of electricity demand or at the timeof a power failure.

Such a power storage device or electronic equipment with a power storagesystem is provided with a battery module having many secondary batteriesincorporated therein and a power conversion device, such as an inverterand a converter. The power conversion device generates an especiallylarge amount of heat and the inside of the device is likely to beexposed to high temperature. Further, since plural secondary batteriesare connected, the battery module is likely to be exposed to hightemperature at the time of charging. When the battery module is left ina high-temperature environment, gas may be produced inside the batteryor safety is threatened due to decomposition of a separator or heatcontraction. Further, abnormal heat generation may occur in the batteryitself and thermal runaway of the battery may be caused. Therefore, therisk may be increased.

In order to overcome these problems, in air conditioning equipment witha power storage system of Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 11-325546, a power converter circuit portion whichgenerates a large amount of heat is disposed at a position higher than astorage battery including plural secondary batteries. An outside airinlet is provided at a lower portion of the device and an outlet isprovided at an upper portion of the device. With this configuration, airis made to flow inside the device such that heat in the power convertercircuit portion which generates a large amount of heat is efficientlyreleased outside. The heat in the power converter circuit portion isless easily transmitted to the storage battery by an insulating memberprovided between the power converter circuit portion and the storagebattery.

As described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.2003-071775, providing a dead-air space as a heat releasing mechanismbetween the battery as a driving power source and a heat source, such asa control circuit board, has been proposed. In Japanese UnexaminedPatent Application Publication No. 2003-071775, a housing which containsthe battery is thickened on the side of the dead-air space to form athermal insulation surface. The thermal insulation surface and thedead-air space form a double thermal insulation configuration. The othersurface of the housing, which is thin, is formed as a heat sink surface.

SUMMARY

However, when only the configuration of Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 11-325546 is applied, the heat in the powerconverter circuit portion is easily transmitted to the storage battery.Further, there is a possibility that temperature distribution is causedamong the storage batteries and therefore a difference is produced inbattery degradation.

The device of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.2003-071775 is a robot device and the amount of heat generated in thedriving power source or in the control circuit board is not large:therefore, it is possible that a cooling function is sufficientlycarried out by placing a thermal insulation surface to face a heatsource and radiating heat from other surfaces. The power storage devicehas a large number of secondary batteries contained therein andtherefore an amount of heat generated in the power conversion device issignificantly large. For this reason, it is possible that onlyapplication of the thermal insulation configuration of JapaneseUnexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-071775 is notsufficient.

It is desirable to provide a power storage device and a power storagesystem having enhanced heat-radiating ability.

A power storage device according to the present application includes: afirst chassis member which is formed from a metallic material and isprovided with a vertically extending first main surface portion, andfirst and second side surface portions formed to extend from each ofside edges of the first main surface portion substantially vertically tothe first main surface portion; a second chassis member which is formedfrom a metallic material and is provided with a second main surfaceportion which faces the main surface portion of the first chassismember, and third and fourth side surface portions formed to extend fromeach of side edges of the second main surface portion substantiallyvertically to the second main surface portion; a power inlet capable ofinputting either of DC power or AC power; one or plural power outlets towhich a plug of electronic equipment is capable of being connected; abattery module to which one or plural secondary batteries are connectedand which is charged by being supplied with the power input from thepower inlet; a power conversion device which is electrically connectedto the battery module, and which converts the power input from thebattery module into desired power and outputs the converted power to theone or plural power outlets; a housing which contains the batterymodule, the power conversion device, the first chassis member, thesecond chassis member, the power inlet and the one or plural poweroutlets, and makes the power inlet and the power outlet be exposedoutside; a lower lid which is formed integrally with or is fit into thehousing on a bottom surface side of the housing and is provided withplural openings; and an upper lid which is formed integrally with or isfit into an upper surface side of the housing and is provided withplural openings, wherein: the battery module is fixed closely to onesurface of the first main surface portion of the first chassis member;the power conversion device is fixed closely to one surface of thesecond main surface portion of the second chassis member; and a gapportion is formed between the first main surface portion and the secondmain surface portion by disposing the other surface of the first mainsurface portion of the first chassis member and the other surface of thesecond main surface portion of the second chassis member to face eachother, the space being open at a bottom surface side and an uppersurface side and being used for making air taken through the pluralopenings of the lower lid flow via the plural openings of the upper lid.

In a power storage system of this application, power is supplied fromthe power storage device described above or power is supplied to thepower storage device from a power generation device or a power network.

In the power storage device of the present application, a gap portion isformed between a battery module and a power conversion device whichgenerates a large amount of heat. This gap portion is used as a flowchannel of air taken through an opening formed on a lower surface of thedevice, and the air is exhausted from an opening formed on an uppersurface of the device. Therefore, heat may be effectively radiated fromthe battery module and from the power conversion device.

A first chassis member and a second chassis member which constitute thegap portion are made from a metallic material. A battery module and apower converter circuit are fixed closely to the first chassis memberand the second chassis member, respectively. With this configuration,heat in the battery module and the power converter circuit may beradiated more efficiently via the first chassis member and the secondchassis member.

The present application provides a power storage device and a powerstorage system having enhanced heat-radiating ability.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exterior of a power storage deviceaccording to a first embodiment;

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are a front view, a top view, a bottom view anda side view, respectively, of the power storage device according to thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a configuration of the powerstorage device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the power storage device according to the firstembodiment with a housing being removed;

FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the power storage deviceaccording to the first embodiment along line V-V of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the power storagedevice according to the first embodiment along line VI-VI of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a configuration of a chassis member usedin the power storage device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a configuration of a powerstorage device according to another exemplary configuration;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a configuration of a chassis member usedin a power storage device according to another exemplary configuration;

FIG. 10 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a power storage deviceaccording to another exemplary configuration;

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a power storage deviceaccording to another exemplary configuration;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an exterior of a power storage deviceaccording to another exemplary configuration; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary power storage systemaccording to a second embodiment to which power storage device accordingto the first embodiment is applied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereafter, the best forms (hereafter, referred to as “embodiments”) forimplementing the present application will be described. Description willbe provided in the following order.

1. First Embodiment (Exemplary Power Storage Device of the PresentApplication)

2. Second Embodiment (Exemplary Power Storage System using Power StorageDevice of the Present Application)

1. First Embodiment

1-1. Configuration of Power Storage Device

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exterior of a power storage device 1according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2A is a top view of the powerstorage device 1, FIG. 2B is a front view of the power storage device 1,FIG. 2C is a bottom view of the power storage device 1 and FIG. 2D is aside view of the power storage device 1. Right and left side surfaces ofthe power storage device 1 are the same in configuration with each otherand, therefore, FIG. 2D illustrates both of the right and left sidesurfaces. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a configuration ofthe power storage device 1.

The exterior of the power storage device 1 is constituted by a housing2, an upper lid 3 and a lower lid 4. A power inlet 5 and one or pluralpower outlets 6 are provided on the front of the power storage device 1.DC power or AC power from a power generation device or commercial powersupply may be input through the power inlet 5. Plugs of electronicequipment may be connected to the power outlets 6.

The housing 2 includes, for example, a pair of housing 2 a and housing 2b which are two divided portions. In FIGS. 1 to 3, the housing 2 acovers the front of the power storage device. An opening 2 c forexposing the power inlet 5 to the outside and one or plural openings 2 dfor exposing the power outlets 6 to the outside are provided on thefront of the housing 2 a.

The housing 2 may be made of, for example, a molded resin material. Thehousing 2 may be made from any resin materials that, for example, haveintensity suited for an exterior member of the power storage device 1and have certain moldability. The housing 2 may be made from, forexample, polycarbonate (PC) and polypropylene (PP). A protrusion may beprovided at a suitable position on an inner wall of the housing 2. Thisconfiguration may enhance ability to radiate heat in the power storagedevice 1 outside via the housing 2. The housing 2 may be made from ahighly heat-conductive resin material: in that case, heat-radiatingability of the housing 2 may be further enhanced.

Alternatively, the housing 2 may be made from a press-molded metalplate. Metallic materials used for the metal plate may be, for example,aluminum, stainless steel and iron. The pair of housing 2 a and housing2 b which is two divided portions may be formed by only bending arectangular metal plate into U shape and providing necessary openings.Therefore, the housings 2 a and 2 b may be fabricated in a simplemanner. Since metallic materials have heat-radiating ability which ishigher than that of resin materials, the housing 2 made from a metallicmaterial may have enhanced heat-radiating ability. For this reason, itis more desirable to use a metal plate for the housing 2.

Protrusion and indentation may be provided by, for example, pressing atsuitable positions on the inner wall of the housing 2. Thisconfiguration may enhance ability to radiate heat in the power storagedevice 1 outside via the housing 2. The protrusion and indentation maybe provided on an outer surface of the housing 2. This configuration maybe desirable in appearance and heat-radiating ability.

The upper lid 3 covers upper surfaces of the housing 2 a and the housing2 b and is provided with plural outlets which are formed as, forexample, slits (hereafter, may be referred to as “exhaust slit 7”). Theupper lid 3 is provided with an upper surface portion as a top plate ofthe power storage device 1, and a side surface portion extendingdownward from an end of the upper surface portion. The exhaust slits 7are desirably provided in the side surface portion. This is becauseliquid materials from outside do not easily enter compared with aconfiguration in which the exhaust slits 7 are formed in the uppersurface portion. The upper lid 3 may be made of, for example, a moldedresin material. The upper lid 3 may be made from, for example,polycarbonate (PC) and polypropylene (PP).

The lower lid 4 covers lower surfaces (i.e., bottom surfaces) of thehousings 2 a and 2 b and is provided with plural inlets which are formedas, for example, slits (hereafter, may be referred to as “intake slit8”). The lower lid 4 may be provided with plural legs 4 a which touchthe ground when the power storage device 1 is placed on, for example, afloor. Alternative to or in addition to the legs 4, a pad having highadhesion to a surface on which the power storage device 1 is placed maybe provided on bottom surfaces of the legs 4 for the prevention ofoverturning of the power storage device 1.

The lower lid 4 is provided with a bottom surface portion used as abottom plate of the power storage device 1, and a side surface portionextending upward from an end of the bottom surface portion. The intakeslits 8 are desirably provided in the side surface portion. The bottomsurface portion and the side surface portion may continue each other ina rounded manner. In this case, the intake slits 8 may be providedsuccessively over a range from the side surface portion to the bottomsurface portion. If the lower lid 4 is placed on, for example, a floor,the bottom surface portion is in close contact with the floor or facesthe floor via a slight gap. For this reason, if the intake slits 8 areformed in the bottom surface portion, there is a possibility an amountof air taken in the power storage device 1 is insufficient. Therefore,the intake slits 8 are desirably provided at suitable positions inaccordance with the configuration of the lower lid 4.

The lower lid 4 may be made of, for example, a molded resin material.The lower lid 4 may be made from, for example, polycarbonate (PC) andpolypropylene (PP) similarly to the upper lid 3.

The width of the exhaust slits 7 provided in the upper lid 3 and thewidth of the intake slits 8 provided in the lower lid 4 are desirably is0.5 mm or greater and 2.5 mm or narrower. If the slit width is narrowerthan 0.5 mm, there is a possibility that an air intake function and anexhaust function are affected. If the slit width is greater than 2.5 mm,liquid materials may easily enter from outside.

Hereafter, an internal configuration of the power storage device 1 willbe described. FIG. 4 is a side view of the power storage device 1 withhousings 2 a and 2 b being removed. FIG. 5 is a transversecross-sectional view of the power storage device 1 taken along line V-Vof FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the powerstorage device 1 taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the power storage device 1 includestherein a battery module 10 provided mainly with plural secondarybatteries, an inverter 11 which is a power conversion device, a chassismember 12, a chassis member 13, a power inlet 5 and a power outlet 6. Asillustrated in FIG. 5, the chassis member 12 and the chassis member 13are disposed and fixed to face each other with a gap portion 23 beingformed therebetween.

In the longitudinal cross-sectional view of the power storage device 1of FIG. 6, an air flow in a radiation mechanism according to the presentapplication is illustrated by arrows. In the power storage device 1 ofthe present application, the gap portion 23 is formed between thebattery module 10 and the inverter 11 which generates a large amount ofheat by the chassis member 12 and the chassis member 13. The gap portion23 is used as a flow channel of air taken through the intake slits 8formed in the lower lid 4 of the power storage device 1. The gap portion23 is formed by the chassis member 12 fixed closely to the batterymodule 10, and the chassis member 13 fixed closely to the inverter 11.Since the battery module 10 and the chassis member 12 are in closecontact, heat in the battery module 10 is efficiently transferred to thechassis member 12 and the chassis member 12 is heated. The heat in theinverter 11 is efficiently transferred to the chassis member 13 and thechassis member 13 is heated. With this configuration, when the air flowsthrough the gap portion 23, the chassis member 12 and the chassis member13 may be cooled. In this manner, the heat in the battery module 10 andthe inverter 11 is radiated. The air flowed through the gap portion 23is heated and flows upward, and is then exhausted outside of the powerstorage device 1 from the exhaust slits 7 of the upper lid 3. Theradiation mechanism is provided in which air is taken through the intakeslits 8 formed in the lower lid 4, flows through the gap portion 23 andis exhausted through the exhaust slits 7 of the upper lid 3.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 6, a part of the air taken from theintake slits 8 formed in the lower lid 4 flows through a space formed bythe housing 2 a and the chassis member 13 (i.e., a space to which theinverter 11 is fixed). Therefore, heat is radiated also from surfaces ofthe inverter 11 other than the surface at the side of the chassis member13. Similarly, a part of the air taken through the intake slits 8 formedin the lower lid 4 flows through a space formed by the housing 2 b andthe chassis member 12 (i.e., a space to which the battery module 10 isfixed). Therefore, heat is radiated also from surfaces of the batterymodule 10 other than the surface at the side of the chassis member 12.

Chassis Member

The chassis member 12 is made from a metallic material and, asillustrated in FIG. 7, is provided with a main surface portion 12 a andside surface portions 12 b. The battery module 10 is fixed closely tothe main surface portion 12 a. The side surface portions 12 b are formedto extend from side edges of the main surface portion 12 a substantiallyvertically to the main surface portion 12 a. The side surface portions12 b are formed to extend toward the chassis member 13. The chassismember 12 is provided with a fixing portion 12 c which is formed toextend substantially vertically to the main surface portion 12 a from alower end of the main surface portion 12 a. The fixing portion 12 c isformed to extend from the chassis member 12 on the side on which thebattery module 10 is fixed. The chassis member 12 may further beprovided with a fixing portion 12 d which is formed to extendsubstantially vertically to the main surface portion 12 a from an upperend of the main surface portion 12 a. The fixing portion 12 d is formedto extend toward the chassis member 13.

The chassis member 13 is made from a metallic material and, asillustrated in FIG. 7, is provided with a main surface portion 13 a andside surface portions 13 b. The inverter 11 is fixed closely to the mainsurface portion 13 a. The side surface portions 13 b are formed toextend from side edges of the main surface portion 13 a substantiallyvertically to the main surface portion 13 a. The side surface portions13 b are formed on the side of the chassis member 12. The chassis member13 is provided with a fixing portion 13 c which is formed to extendsubstantially vertically to the main surface portion 13 a from a lowerend of the main surface portion 13 a. The fixing portion 13 c is formedto extend from the chassis member 13. The fixing portion 12 c is formedto extend from the chassis member 12 on the side on which the inverter11 is fixed. The chassis member 13 may further be provided with a fixingportion 13 d which is formed to extend substantially vertically to themain surface portion 13 a from an upper end of the main surface portion13 a. The fixing portion 13 d is formed to extend toward the chassismember 12.

The chassis member 12 and the chassis member 13 are fixed to each otherwith the side surface portions 12 b of the chassis member 12 and theside surface portions 13 b of the chassis member 13 being fixed to eachother. In this manner, the gap portion 23 is formed between the chassismember 12 and the chassis member 13. In a configuration in which thefixing portion 12 d of the chassis member 12 and the fixing portion 13 dof the chassis member 13 are provided, the fixing portion 12 d and thefixing portion 13 d may be fixed to each other. The side surfaceportions 12 b and the side surface portions 13 b, or the fixing portion12 d and the fixing portion 13 d are fixed to each other by, forexample, screws. Desirably, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the side surfaceportions 12 b of the chassis member 12 and the side surface portions 13b of the chassis member 13, and the housing 2 a and the housing 2 b arefixed together.

The width of the gap portion 23 is desirably 5 mm or greater and 30 mmor narrower. If the width of the gap portion is narrower than 5 mm,heat-radiating ability of the present application is affected. If thewidth of the gap portion is greater than 30 mm, the power storage device1 may be large in size.

The chassis member 12 is fixed to the base 15 with the fixing portion 12c and the base 15 being fixed to each other by, for example, screws.Similarly, the chassis member 13 is fixed to the base 15 with the fixingportion 13 c and the base 15 being fixed to each other by, for example,screws. The base 15 is fixed to the lower lid 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the fixing portion 12 d and the fixing portion13 d may be fixed to an upper lid mounting member 22 directly or viaanother member. The fixing portion 12 d and the fixing portion 13 d maybe fixed to the upper lid 3 directly or via another member. The upperlid mounting member 22 is fixed to the chassis member 12 and to thechassis member 13. The upper lid mounting member 22 is further fixed tothe upper lid 3. The upper lid 3 is fit into the housing 2 a and thehousing 2 b.

As described above, since the chassis member 12 and the chassis member13 are fixed to each other and, at the same time, to other components ofthe power storage device 1, the chassis member 12 to which the heavybattery module 10 is fixed and the chassis member 13 to which the heavyinverter 11 is fixed may be reliably fixed within the power storagedevice 1.

This configuration may have increased withstand load of the upper lid 3.

The side surface portions 12 b of the chassis member 12 and the sidesurface portions 13 b of the chassis member 13, and the housing 2 a andthe housing 2 b are fixed together, and the space formed by the housing2 a and the chassis member 13 and the space formed by the housing 2 band the chassis member 12 are separated from each other. With thisconfiguration, if an electrolyte leaks from the battery module 10, theelectrolyte does not easily flow toward a circuit board. Therefore, theelectrolyte does not easily adhere to the circuit board.

Power Inlet

The power inlet 5 is fixed to, for example, the base 15. The power inlet5 is connected to the battery module 10 via a relay board 28. DC power,for example, is input to the power inlet 5. AC power may be input to thepower inlet 5 if a converter is provided between the power inlet 5 andthe battery module 10.

Battery Module

The battery module 10 includes plural secondary batteries connected inseries, in parallel or in series parallel and contained in an exteriorcase. Each of the second batteries is charged by the DC power input tothe power inlet 5. The secondary battery may be, for example, arechargeable lithium-ion battery. Although cylindrical batteries areillustrated in FIG. 3 as the secondary batteries which constitute thebattery module 10, the shape of the second batteries is not limited tothe same: for example, thin batteries laminated with film may be used.

Charge of each second battery of the battery module 10 is controlled bythe relay board 28 which is electrically connected between the powerinlet 5 and the battery module 10. Charge control is carried out in thesame manner as the method of charging the related art secondary battery.

The battery module 10 is electrically connected to the circuit board 18by a positive electrode lead 16 and a negative electrode lead 17. Aterminal board 1 la of the inverter 11 is also connected to the circuitboard 18. With this configuration, discharge electricity output from thebattery module 10 may be input to the inverter 11 via the circuit board18. The positive electrode lead 16 and the negative electrode lead 17are connected to the circuit board 18 provided on an outer surface ofthe chassis member 13 along a terminal board 19 via, for example, anupper surface of the chassis member 12 and an upper surface of thechassis member 13, respectively. Positions at which the circuit board18, the positive electrode lead 16 and the negative electrode lead 17are disposed may be determined arbitrarily.

The battery module 10 may be provided with a heat-radiation member 10 adisposed on a surface on the side of the chassis member 12. Theheat-radiation member 10 a is made of, for example, silicon and has afunction to efficiently transfer heat of the plural secondary batteriesto the chassis member 12. Desirably, the heat-radiation member 10 a isincorporated in the battery module 10 and is at least partially exposedto side of the chassis member 12. Alternatively, the heat-radiationmember 10 a may be prepared as a separate member and disposed betweenthe battery module 10 and the chassis member 12 when the battery module10 and the chassis member 12 are fixed to each other.

The exterior case of the battery module 10 is made of, for example, aresin material, such as polycarbonate (PC) and polypropylene (PP). It isonly necessary that the exterior case is capable of fixing the secondarybatteries which constitute the battery module 10. The exterior case maybe formed to partially expose the secondary batteries so as to enhanceheat-radiating ability of the secondary batteries. If the color of theexterior case is black, heat-radiating ability may be enhanced.

The battery module 10 may include a connector 10 b in an upper portionthereof and may be connected to the upper lid 3 or to the upper lidmounting member 22. With this configuration, the battery module 10 ismore firmly fixed within the power storage device 1.

Inverter

The inverter 11 is electrically connected between the battery module 10and the power outlet 6 and converts, for example, discharge electricityinput from the battery module 10 into AC power. The inverter 11 iselectrically connected to a main board 20 in which the power outlet 6 isformed via a connecting cord 11 b.

Desirably, the inverter 11 is fixed to the chassis member 13 via aninsulating member 14 when the inverter is fixed to the chassis member13. This is because, since the chassis member 13 is made from a metallicmaterial, it is desirable that the inverter 11 and the chassis member 13are mutually insulated in a reliable manner. The insulating member 14 ismade of resin materials, such as polycarbonate (PC) and polypropylene(PP). If the color of the insulating member 14 is black, heat-radiatingability may be enhanced.

It is only necessary that the device electrically connected between thebattery module 10 and the power outlet 6 is a power conversion devicewhich converts power input from the battery module 10 into desiredpower. A DC-DC converter which outputs direct current may be usedinstead of the inverter 11.

Power Outlet

One or plural power outlets 6 are provided on the main board 20. Thepower outlet 6 is formed in a shape of an outlet in which a plug ofelectronic equipment may be inserted. Therefore, electronic equipmentwhich usually operates with power supplied from a commercial powersupply, such as a portable electronic device and home electronicequipment, may be used by connecting to the power storage device 1.

The main board 20 is fixed to a pair of board mounting members 21attached to the chassis member 13. Therefore, the main board 20 isattached to a position to be exposed to the outside through an opening 2d of the housing 2 a. The main board 20 is fixed to the pair of boardmounting members 21 such that the power outlet 6 is located at aposition to be exposed to the outside through the opening 2 d.Desirably, the power outlet 6 is disposed on a side surface of the powerstorage device 1 in order to prevent entering of liquid materials.

Each member of the power storage device 1 of the present application maybe fixed using generally used methods, such as screwing and fitting.Screwing is especially desirable.

1-2. Modification of Power Storage Device

The power storage device 1 may have the following configurations.

1-2-1. First Modification

FIGS. 8 to 10 illustrate a modification which uses a chassis member 29formed by partially modifying the chassis member 12. FIG. 8 is anexploded perspective view of a configuration of a power storage device 1in which the chassis member 29 of this modification is used. FIG. 9 is aperspective view of a configuration of a chassis member 13 and thechassis member 29 formed by partially modifying the chassis member 12.FIG. 10 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the power storage device1 in which the chassis member 29 of this modification is used.

The chassis member 29 is made from a metallic material and is providedwith a main surface portion 29 a and side surface portions 29 b. Thebattery module 10 is fixed closely to the main surface portion 29 a. Theside surface portions 29 b are formed by bending side edges of the mainsurface portion 29 a substantially vertically to the main surfaceportion 29 a. Each of the side surface portions 29 b includes aprotrusion 29 e formed by bending each side edge of the main surfaceportion 29 a toward the battery module 10 and then bending in a pillarshape. The chassis member 29 is provided with a fixing portion 29 cformed to extend substantially vertically to the main surface portion 29a from the lower end of the main surface portion 29 a. The fixingportion 29 c is formed to extend from the chassis member 29 on the sideon which the battery module 10 is fixed. The chassis member 29 mayfurther be provided with a fixing portion 29 d which is formed to extendsubstantially vertically to the main surface portion 29 a from an upperend of the main surface portion 29 a. The fixing portion 29 d is formedto extend toward the chassis member 13.

The modification described above which uses the chassis member 29 formedby partially modifying the chassis member 12 is an example. The chassismember 13 may be formed such that each of the side edges of the mainsurface portion 13 a of the chassis member 13 is bent toward theinverter 11 and is provided with a protrusion formed by bending the sideedge in a pillar shape. Alternatively, each of the side edges of themain surface portion 12 a of the chassis member 12 and the side edges ofthe main surface portion 13 a of the chassis member 13 may have aprotrusion formed by bending each of the side edges in a pillar shape.

1-2-2. Second Modification

FIG. 11 illustrates a modification in which a modified chassis member 12and a modified chassis member 13 are used. The chassis member 12 isprovided with a protrusion which functions as a heat-radiation fin inthe main surface portion 12 a on the side of the gap portion 23. Thechassis member 13 is provided with the same protrusion in the mainsurface portion 13 a on the side of the gap portion 23. FIG. 11 is alongitudinal cross-sectional view of the power storage device 1 in whichthe chassis member 12 and the chassis member 13 of the modification isused.

The protrusion provided in the main surface portion 12 a of the chassismember 12 on the side of the gap portion 23 may increase a surface areaof the chassis member 12 on the side of the gap portion 23. Therefore, aheat radiation effect by the air flowing along the gap portion 23 may beenhanced. The protrusion provided in the main surface portion 13 a ofthe chassis member 13 on the side of the gap portion 23 may increase asurface area of the chassis member 13 on the side of the gap portion 23.Therefore, a heat radiation effect by the air flowing along the gapportion 23 may be enhanced. Such a protrusion which functions as aheat-radiation fin is desirably provided in at least one of the chassismember 12 and the chassis member 13 and especially desirably provided inthe chassis member 13 to which the inverter 11 that generates a largeamount of heat is fixed.

1-2-3. Third Modification

FIG. 12 illustrates an exterior perspective view of a power storagedevice 1 of a third modification. The power storage device 1 of thethird modification may be provided with an LED lamp 24, an output ON/OFFbutton 25 and a remaining amount display button 26 on an upper lid 3thereof The LED lamp 24 is provided to, for example, display a remainingamount of a battery module 10. The output ON/OFF button 25 is providedto start/stop supply of power to electronic equipment when, for example,the electronic equipment is connected to a power outlet 6. The remainingamount display button 26 is pressed by a user when the user wants toknow a remaining amount of charge of the power storage device 1. Whenthe user presses the remaining amount display button 26, the LED lamp 24is turned on. It is desirable that the remaining amount display button26 is not operated when, for example, the battery module 10 is beingcharged and the power outlet 6 and the electronic equipment areconnected to each other for the power supply.

A handle 27 may be provided in at least one of the housing 2 a and thehousing 2 b of the power storage device 1. It is possible that the powerstorage device 1 is carried or moved. The handle 27 may make carryingand moving of the power storage device 1 easy. For this reason, it isdesirable to provide the handle 27 in at least the front (i.e., thehousing 2 a) of the power storage device 1.

2. Second Embodiment

As a second embodiment, an application of the power storage deviceaccording to the first embodiment will be described.

Examples of the power storage devices include a power supply for powerstorage for buildings, such as home, or for power generation equipment.

Hereinafter, an exemplary power storage system which uses the powerstorage device of the present application will be described.

This power storage system may have the following first to sixthexemplary configurations. The first power storage system is providedwith the power storage device described in the first embodiment andsupplies electronic equipment connected to the power storage device withpower. The second power storage system has a power generation devicewhich charges a power storage device by a power generation device whichgenerates power from renewable energy. The third power storage system iselectronic equipment which receives power supply from a power storagedevice. These power storage systems are implemented as systems thatcooperate with an external power supply network to provide efficientpower supply.

The fourth power storage system is an electric vehicle provided with aconverter and a control device. The converter converts power suppliedfrom a power storage device into driving force of the vehicle. Thecontrol device carries out information processing regarding vehiclecontrol in accordance with information about the power storage device.The fifth power storage system is an electric power system provided withelectric power information transmitter/receptor which transmits andreceives signals to and from other equipment via a network. The electricpower system carries out charge and discharge control of the powerstorage device described above in accordance with information receivedby the transmitter/receptor. The sixth power storage system is anelectric power system which receives power supply from the power storagedevice described above or supplies the power storage device with powerfrom a power generation device or a power network. Hereinafter, thepower storage system will be described.

2-1. Power Storage System for Home as Application

An application of the power storage device 1 of the present applicationto a power storage system for homes will be described with reference toFIG. 13. For example, in a power storage system 100 for a home 101,power is supplied to a power storage device 103 from a central powersystem 102 including, for example, thermal power generation 102 a,nuclear power generation 102 b and water power generation 102 c via, forexample, a power network 109, an information network 112, a smart meter107 and a power hub 108. The power storage device 103 applied to thepower storage system for homes may be the power storage device 1according to the first embodiment. Power is supplied to the powerstorage device 103 from independent power supply, such as a home powergeneration device 104. Power supplied to the power storage device 103 isstored. Power is supplied using the power storage device 103 to be usedin the home 101. The same power storage system may be applied tobuildings.

The home 101 is equipped with the power generation device 104,power-consuming equipment 105, the power storage device 103, a controldevice 110 which controls each of the devices, the smart meter 107, andsensors 111 which obtain various kinds of information. The devices areconnected to one another by the power network 109 and the informationnetwork 112. The power generation device 104 may be, for example, solarbattery or fuel battery. The generated power is supplied to thepower-consuming equipment 105 and/or the power storage device 103.Examples of the power-consuming equipment 105 include a refrigerator 105a, air-conditioning equipment (i.e., an air conditioner) 105 b, atelevision set (i.e., a TV) 105 c, and a bath 105 d. The electricvehicle 106 is also included in the power-consuming equipment 105.Examples of the electric vehicle 106 include an electric car 106 a, ahybrid car 106 b and an electric motorcycle 106 c.

The smart meter 107 has a function to measure a consumed amount ofcommercial electric power and transmit the measured consumed amount toan electric power company. The power network 109 may be any of DC powersupply, AC power supply, and non-contact power supply, or anycombination thereof

The sensors 111 may be, for example, a human sensor, an illuminancesensor, an object detection sensor, a power consumption sensor, avibration sensor, a contact sensor, a temperature sensor and an infraredsensor. Information obtained by the sensors 111 is transmitted to thecontrol device 110. In accordance with the information from the sensors111, a weather condition, human condition, and so forth may be learned,whereby the power-consuming equipment 105 may be controlledautomatically to minimize energy consumption. The control device 110 maytransmit information about the home 101 to, for example, an externalelectric power company via the Internet.

The power hub 108 carries out such processes as branching of power linesand DC-AD conversion. The control device 110 and the information network112 connected thereto may communicate with each other using acommunication interface or using a sensor network under wirelesscommunication standards. The communication interface may be, forexample, the Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transceiver (UART). Thesensor network may be, for example, the Bluetooth, the ZigBee and theWi-Fi. The Bluetooth system may be applied to multimedia communicationsand for carrying out one-to-many connections. The ZigBee uses a physicallayer of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)802.15.4. IEEE 802.15.4 is a name of short-distance wireless networkstandard called Personal Area Network (PAN) or Wireless PAN (WPAN).

The control device 110 is connected to an external server 113. Theserver 113 may be managed by any of the home 101, an electric powercompany and a service provider. Information which server 113 transmitsand receives is, for example, power consumption information, lifepattern information, power rates, weather information, natural disasterinformation, and information about power trade. Such information may betransmitted and received from home power-consuming equipment (e.g., atelevision set) or may be transmitted and received from devices outsidethe home (e.g., a mobile phone). Such information may be displayed onequipment having a displaying function, such as the television set, themobile phone and Personal Digital Assistants (PDA).

The control device 110 which controls each component includes a centralprocessing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), read only memory(ROM), and so forth and is stored in the power storage device 103 in thepresent embodiment. The control device 110 is connected to the powerstorage device 103, the power generation device 104, the power-consumingequipment 105, the sensors 111 and the server 113 by the informationnetwork 112. The control device has, for example, a function to adjustthe consumed amount of commercial electric power and the amount ofgenerated electricity. Further, the control device 110 may have, forexample, a function to carry out power trade in an electricity market.

As described above, the power storage device 103 may be provided notonly with the central power system 102 which uses the thermal powergeneration 102 a, the nuclear power generation 102 b and the water powergeneration 102 c, but with generated power of the power generationdevice 104 (i.e., photovoltaic power generation and wind powergeneration). Therefore, even if generated power of the power generationdevice 104 fluctuates, the control device 110 make the amount of poweroutput to the outside be constant or make a necessary amount of power bedischarged. For example, it is possible that power generated byphotovoltaic power generation is stored in the power storage device 103and less expensive midnight power is stored in the power storage device103 during the nighttime, and the power stored by the power storagedevice 103 may be discharged in daytime during which electricity isexpensive.

Although the control device 110 is incorporated in the power storagedevice 103 in this example, the control device 110 may be incorporatedin the smart meter 107 or may be provided independently. The powerstorage system 100 may be used for plural homes in a housing complex ormay be used in plural single-family homes.

Although the present application has been described with reference tothe embodiments and the modifications, the present application is notlimited thereto: the present application may be changed in various ways.The position and size of each component of the power storage device maybe determined arbitrarily.

This present technique may be implemented in the following manner.

-   [1] A power storage device, including: a first chassis member which    is formed from a metallic material and is provided with a vertically    extending first main surface portion, and first and second side    surface portions formed to extend from each of side edges of the    first main surface portion substantially vertically to the first    main surface portion; a second chassis member which is formed from a    metallic material and is provided with a second main surface portion    which faces the main surface portion of the first chassis member,    and third and fourth side surface portions formed to extend from    each of side edges of the second main surface portion substantially    vertically to the second main surface portion; a power inlet capable    of inputting either of DC power or AC power; one or plural power    outlets to which a plug of electronic equipment is capable of being    connected; a battery module to which one or plural secondary    batteries are connected and which is charged by being supplied with    the power input from the power inlet; a power conversion device    which is electrically connected to the battery module, and which    converts the power input from the battery module into desired power    and outputs the converted power to the one or plural power outlets;    a housing which contains the battery module, the power conversion    device, the first chassis member, the second chassis member, the    power inlet and the one or plural power outlets, and makes the power    inlet and the power outlet be exposed outside; a lower lid which is    formed integrally with or is fit into the housing on a bottom    surface side of the housing and is provided with plural openings;    and an upper lid which is formed integrally with or is fit into an    upper surface side of the housing and is provided with plural    openings, wherein: the battery module is fixed closely to one    surface of the first main surface portion of the first chassis    member; the power conversion device is fixed closely to one surface    of the second main surface portion of the second chassis member; and    a gap portion is formed between the first main surface portion and    the second main surface portion by disposing the other surface of    the first main surface portion of the first chassis member and the    other surface of the second main surface portion of the second    chassis member to face each other, the space being open at a bottom    surface side and an upper surface side and being used for making air    taken through the plural openings of the lower lid flow via the    plural openings of the upper lid.-   [2] The power storage device according to [1], wherein the gap    portion is formed between the first main surface portion and the    second main surface portion by fixing the first side surface portion    and the third side surface portion to each other, and fixing the    second side surface portion and the fourth side surface portion to    each other.-   [3] The power storage device according to [2], wherein: the first    side surface portion and the third side surface portion are fixed    together with one surface of the housing; the second side surface    portion and the fourth side surface portion are fixed together with    the other surface which faces the one surface of the housing; and a    first space surrounded by the first chassis member and the housing    and a second space surrounded by the second chassis member and the    housing are formed.-   [4] The power storage device according to any one of [1] to [3],    further including protrusions formed by bending each of side edges    of at least one of the first main surface portion of the first    chassis member and the second main surface portion of the second    chassis member, wherein: if the protrusions are provided in the    first main surface portion, the protrusions are made to protrude in    the plane direction of one surface of the first main surface    portion; and if the protrusions are provided in the second main    surface portion, the protrusions are made to protrude in the plane    direction of the second main surface portion.-   [5] The power storage device according to any one of [1] to [4]    wherein the width of the gap portion is 5 mm or greater and 30 mm or    less.-   [6] The power storage device according to [5], wherein each of the    plural openings provided in the lower lid and the plural openings    provided in the upper lid is a slit.-   [7] The power storage device according to [6], wherein the width of    the slit is 0.5 mm or greater and 2.5 mm or less.-   [8] The power storage device according to any one of [1] to [7]    which the housing is made from a metal plate.-   [9] The power storage device according to [8] wherein the housing is    an aluminum plate.-   [10] The power storage device according to any one of [1] to [9],    wherein the second main surface portion of the second chassis member    and the power conversion device are in close contact with each other    via an insulating member.-   [11] The power storage device according to any one of [1] to [9],    wherein the first main surface portion of the first chassis member    and the battery module are in close contact with each other via a    heat-radiation member.-   [12] The power storage device according to [11], wherein: the    heat-radiation member is a part of the battery module; and the    heat-radiation member is provided to be exposed to the battery    module on the first chassis member side.-   [13] The power storage device according to [12], wherein the    heat-radiation member is made of silicon.-   [14] The power storage device according to [1], wherein the power    conversion device is an inverter which converts DC power output from    the battery module into AC power and outputs the AC power to the one    or plural power outlets.-   [15] The power storage device according to [1], wherein plural    protrusions are provided in at least one of the other surface of the    first main surface portion of the first chassis member and the other    surface of the second main surface portion of the second chassis    member.-   [16] The power storage device according to [1], wherein one or    plural handles are provided at a part of the housing.-   [17] A power storage system, wherein power is supplied from the    power storage device according to [1] or power is supplied to the    power storage device from a power generation device or a power    network.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present subjectmatter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is thereforeintended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appendedclaims.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A power storage device,comprising: a first chassis member which is formed from a metallicmaterial and is provided with a vertically extending first main surfaceportion, and first and second side surface portions formed to extendfrom each of side edges of the first main surface portion substantiallyvertically to the first main surface portion; a second chassis memberwhich is formed from a metallic material and is provided with a secondmain surface portion which faces the main surface portion of the firstchassis member, and third and fourth side surface portions formed toextend from each of side edges of the second main surface portionsubstantially vertically to the second main surface portion; a powerinlet capable of inputting either of DC power or AC power; one or pluralpower outlets to which a plug of electronic equipment is capable ofbeing connected; a battery module to which one or plural secondarybatteries are connected and which is charged by being supplied with thepower input from the power inlet; a power conversion device which iselectrically connected to the battery module, and which converts thepower input from the battery module into desired power and outputs theconverted power to the one or plural power outlets; a housing whichcontains the battery module, the power conversion device, the firstchassis member, the second chassis member, the power inlet and the oneor plural power outlets, and makes the power inlet and the power outletbe exposed outside; a lower lid which is formed integrally with or isfit into the housing on a bottom surface side of the housing and isprovided with plural openings; and an upper lid which is formedintegrally with or is fit into an upper surface side of the housing andis provided with plural openings, wherein the battery module is fixedclosely to one surface of the first main surface portion of the firstchassis member; the power conversion device is fixed closely to onesurface of the second main surface portion of the second chassis member;and a gap portion is formed between the first main surface portion andthe second main surface portion by disposing the other surface of thefirst main surface portion of the first chassis member and the othersurface of the second main surface portion of the second chassis memberto face each other, the space being open at a bottom surface side and anupper surface side and being used for making air taken through theplural openings of the lower lid flow via the plural openings of theupper lid.
 2. The power storage device according to claim 1, wherein thegap portion is formed between the first main surface portion and thesecond main surface portion by fixing the first side surface portion andthe third side surface portion to each other, and fixing the second sidesurface portion and the fourth side surface portion to each other. 3.The power storage device according to claim 2, wherein: the first sidesurface portion and the third side surface portion are fixed togetherwith one surface of the housing; the second side surface portion and thefourth side surface portion are fixed together with the other surfacewhich faces the one surface of the housing; and a first space surroundedby the first chassis member and the housing and a second spacesurrounded by the second chassis member and the housing are formed. 4.The power storage device according to claim 1, further comprisingprotrusions formed by bending each of side edges of at least one of thefirst main surface portion of the first chassis member and the secondmain surface portion of the second chassis member, wherein: if theprotrusions are provided in the first main surface portion, theprotrusions are made to protrude in the plane direction of one surfaceof the first main surface portion; and if the protrusions are providedin the second main surface portion, the protrusions are made to protrudein the plane direction of the second main surface portion.
 5. The powerstorage device according to claim 1, wherein the width of the gapportion is 5 mm or greater and 30 mm or less.
 6. The power storagedevice according to claim 1, wherein each of the plural openingsprovided in the lower lid and the plural openings provided in the upperlid is a slit.
 7. The power storage device according to claim 6, whereinthe width of the slit is 0.5 mm or greater and 2.5 mm or less.
 8. Thepower storage device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is madefrom a metal plate.
 9. The power storage device according to claim 8,wherein the housing is made from an aluminum plate.
 10. The powerstorage device according to claim 1, wherein the second main surfaceportion of the second chassis member and the power conversion device arein close contact with each other via an insulating member.
 11. The powerstorage device according to claim 1, wherein the first main surfaceportion of the first chassis member and the battery module are in closecontact with each other via a heat-radiation member.
 12. The powerstorage device according to claim 11, wherein: the heat-radiation memberis a part of the battery module; and the heat-radiation member isprovided to be exposed to the battery module on the first chassis memberside.
 13. The power storage device according to claim 12, wherein theheat-radiation member is made of silicon.
 14. The power storage deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the power conversion device is an inverterwhich converts DC power output from the battery module into AC power andoutputs the AC power to the one or plural power outlets.
 15. The powerstorage device according to claim 1, wherein plural protrusions areprovided in at least one of the other surface of the first main surfaceportion of the first chassis member and the other surface of the secondmain surface portion of the second chassis member.
 16. The power storagedevice according to claim 1, wherein one or plural handles are providedat a part of the housing.
 17. A power storage system, wherein power issupplied from the power storage device according to claim 1 or power issupplied to the power storage device from a power generation device or apower network.